🔴 She Wrote a Children's Book After Killing Her Husband? Kouri Richins Trial LIVE | DAY 11

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🔴 LIVE: Kouri Richins Murder Trial — Day 11 - Defense Diaries Legal Analysis

She allegedly poisoned her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail, collected on his life insurance, then wrote a children's book about grief and went on TV to promote it. Now Kouri Richins is on trial for aggravated murder in Summit County, Utah — and the prosecution says they have the texts, the search history, and the financial trail to prove it. Join Bob and Ali LIVE for daily legal analysis from a defense attorney perspective as this five-week trial unfolds.

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⚖️ THE CASE

Kouri Richins, 35, a Kamas, Utah real estate agent and mother of three, is charged with aggravated murder in connection with the March 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, 39. Eric was found dead in their home with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system. Prosecutors allege Kouri obtained fentanyl pills through an intermediary, crushed them into a Moscow Mule cocktail she prepared for Eric on the night of March 3, 2022 — and that she had previously attempted to poison him on Valentine's Day 2022 using the same method.

After Eric's death, Kouri published a children's book titled "Are You With Me?" about a father who dies and watches over his children from heaven. She appeared on local television to promote it. In May 2023 — over a year after Eric's death — Kouri was arrested and charged. She has been held in the Summit County Jail for nearly three years awaiting trial. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains her innocence.

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📋 CHARGES

▸ Aggravated Murder — 1st Degree Felony

▸ Attempted Aggravated Murder (Valentine's Day 2022) — 1st Degree Felony

▸ Distribution of Controlled Substance (x2) — 2nd Degree Felony

▸ Insurance Fraud (x2) — 2nd Degree Felony

▸ Filing Fraudulent Insurance Claim (x2) — 2nd Degree Felony

▸ Forgery (x3) — 3rd Degree Felony

▸ Mortgage Fraud (x2) + Forgery (x2) — Separate case

Plea: NOT GUILTY on all counts

If convicted of aggravated murder: Life in prison without the possibility of parole

📅 CASE TIMELINE

▸ Late 2021 – Early 2022: Prosecutors allege Kouri began researching lethal doses of drugs and methods of poisoning. The couple was experiencing significant marital and financial conflict, including disputes over property, life insurance, and Eric's estate planning.

▸ January 2022: Kouri allegedly obtains fentanyl pills through her housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, who prosecutors say sourced them from her ex-boyfriend Robert Crozier. Prosecutors point to text messages between Kouri and Lauber discussing "pills."

▸ February 14, 2022 (Valentine's Day): Prosecutors allege Kouri's FIRST attempt to kill Eric. Eric became severely ill after consuming a drink Kouri prepared, vomiting throughout the night. He survived. The State charges this as attempted aggravated murder.

▸ March 3–4, 2022: Eric Richins is found dead in their Kamas, Utah home. Kouri told investigators she made Eric a Moscow Mule cocktail that evening. Eric went to bed and was found unresponsive. Autopsy reveals fentanyl at approximately FIVE TIMES the lethal dose.

▸ March–April 2022: Investigation begins. Kouri's phone is seized during a traffic stop in April 2022. Kouri is interviewed by detectives for approximately five hours.

▸ 2022–2023: Kouri publishes "Are You With Me?", a children's book about a father who dies and watches over his family. She appears on local TV to promote it as a grieving widow.

▸ May 8, 2023: Kouri Richins is ARRESTED and charged with aggravated murder. Additional charges including insurance fraud, forgery, and mortgage fraud follow.

▸ 2023–2025: Extensive pretrial litigation. Defense files motions to suppress phone evidence, electronic data, statements made without Miranda warnings, and a notebook seized from the home. Original trial date of April–May 2025 is continued.

▸ April 2025: Robert Crozier — the man prosecutors say supplied the fentanyl — RECANTS under oath, claiming he sold OxyContin, NOT fentanyl, and that he was "detoxing and out of it" during his original police interview. Defense accuses prosecution of a Brady violation.

▸ January 7–8, 2026: Two-day evidentiary hearing on motions to suppress evidence, the "Walk the Dog" jailhouse letter, and Crozier's recantation. Judge Mrazik rules on multiple motions.

▸ February 3, 2026: Judge Mrazik denies defense's second motion for change of venue. Defense argued 85% of Summit County residents surveyed knew about the case.

▸ February 10–18, 2026: Jury selection in Summit County.

▸ February 23, 2026: Trial testimony begins. 100+ prosecution witnesses. 1,000+ exhibits. Expected duration: 5+ weeks.

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